Alarm



April 5, 1932.

R. w. NANZ ALARM Filed Jan. 15, 1951 avwemto a ROBERT W. NANZ 351 6mm;

invention, there is provided a base member- Patented Apr. 5, 1932 UNITED STA ROBERT W. NANZ, OF OWENSBORO, KENTUCKY ALARM Application filed January 15, 1931.

This invention relates to alarms, and more particularly to portable burglar alarms which may be removably attached to closures.

An object of the invention is to provide a burglar alarm which may be attached to a closure, such as a door or a window, in such a manner that the alarm will be actuated when an attempt is made to open the closure.

. A further object of the invention is to provide a portable burglar alarm which is so small, light and compact that it may be easily carried from place to place and used by travellers, vacationists, salesmen, etc. on thedoors or windows of hotel rooms and the like, or by tenants or homeowners on different closures in an apartment or home.

An additional object of the inventionis to provide a portable burglar alarm which may be readily and easily attached to or re moved from a door, window or other closure without the use of any kind of tools and without marking or marring the closure in any Way.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a portable alarm having the characteristics described and which is at the same time simple durable, and inexpensive.

In accordance with one embodiment of the having means thereon for detachably securing the base to one part of a closure without marring it. A signalling device, such as a bell operated by a clockworkmechanlsm, 1s.

escapement wheel 24 which 1s provlded with mounted on the base member and is provided with a release member detachably connects through a flexible connecting element to an attaching member which may be detachably secured to another part of the closure without marring it. V

The above outlined and other objects and features of the invention will be clearly apparent from the following detailed description of specific embodiments thereof, taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings, in which: V

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary, elevational view of a door with a portable burglar alarm embodying the invention attached in operative position thereto;

Fig. '2 is a fragmentary, transverse sec- Serial No. 508,893.

tional view of the door with the alarm shown in Fig. 1 attached thereto Fig. .3 is an enlarged-view-of a portion of the alarm with some parts removed, and V Fig. is a side elevational view of the alarm provided'with a modified form of attaching member and shows the alarm attached to a window.

Referring now'to the drawings, in which like reference numerals designate like parts throughout the several views, the numeral 10 indicates a door to which is attached an alarm unit designated generally by the numeral 11. The alarm unit 11 comprises a base member 12 upon the back side of which is mounted a bridge member 13 having a closure engaging vacuum cup 14 secured thereto by any suitable means, such as a small threaded stud 15. A frame member 18 (Fig. 3) provided with legs 17l7 is secured upon the opposite side of the base member 12 by means of screws 1919 and a clockwork mechanism is positioned between the frame member 18 and the base member 12. The clockwork mechanism includes a spring 20 which is secured at one end to a stud 21 projecting from the base member 12 and which is attached at the opposite end to a shaft 22 positioned centrally with respect to and eX- tending outwardly at right angles to the basemember 12 through the frame .member 18. Positioned immediatelybelow the spring 20 and loosely mounted upon theshaft 22 is an a plurality of lugs 2525struck downwardly. therefrom as seen in Fig. 3. A ratchet wheel 26 is rigidly mounted upon the shaft. 22 directly below the escapment wheel 24 so as to engage a spring pressed pawl 27 mounted upon the underside of the escapement wheel -24. Pivoted adjacent the escapement wheel 24 and in operative relation therewith is a pallet 29 having an arm 30 carrying a clapper 31 secured thereto. .7

Guide members 33 and 34 are positioned; on one side of the base member 12to permit a release member 35 to slide therein in order to cause a lug36 projecting upwardly from the release member 35 to engage or disengage the lugs 25-25 on the escapement wheel 24.;

The extent of movement of the release member 35 is limited by the lug 36 and by a lug 37 extending upwardly from the rear or inner end of the release member, either the lug 36 5 or the lug 37 engaging the guide member 33 when the release member is moved inwardly or outwardly to its extreme positions. Pivotally mounted adjacent the release member 35 is a locking member 40 which may be rotated in a clockwise direction from the position shown in Fig. 3 so that the inner end thereof may engage the outer edge of a shoulder 38 on the release member 35 and will lock the same when the release member is in its inner or engaging position as seen in full lines in Fig. l.

The release member 35 is connected by *mea-ns of a flexible connecting element 43 to an'attaching member 44 which, in the embodiment'illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, consistsof an expansible circular member made i of -a resilient material, such as rubber, and

which is designed to engage a knob 42 mountd-on the doorflO and to turn therewith to actuate the release member when the knob is turned. 'In order that the flexible connecting-element 43 may be readily replaced if broken or the length thereof adjusted, the release member 35 is provided with abentover portion 45 at the outer end thereof which has a slot 46 therein for engaging the r'linksorsegments of the flexible connecting -element 43," and the knob-engaging member -44 is'provided with a link engaging socket -48for detaehably receiving one end of the *iflexible connecting element 43.

' -A b'ell 50 is positioned over the'frame 18 and rests upon acollar 51 encircling the shaft '22 above the frame 18 and the shaft 22 extendsoutwardly through a hole formed cen- Ltrally ofthe bell- 50 so that a winding key 52 inay be'threaded upon the-end of the shaft 22. The-operation of this embodiment of the invention isas'follows: The release lever 35 "ispr'essed inwardly inthe position shown in full lines in"Fig. 1 so that the lug 36 formed "izl'lBIQOIl'Wlll engage one ofthe lugs 2525 "Eontheescapement' wheel 24, thereby preventprevent the operation of the alarm.

is then released to place the alarm in operative position.

It will be readily seen that if the door knob 42 is turned in either direction to open the door, the knob engaging member 44 will retate with the knob and in so doing will exert a pull upon theconnecting member 43 which will cause the release member 35 to be pulled outwardly into the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1 and in full lines in Fig. 3. When the release lever 35 1s 111 th1s position the lug 36 will no longer engage the lugs 25-25 therelease lever is locked by the locking member 40, the attaching member 44 will yield sufiiciently to prevent the connecting element 43 from' breaking when the door knob is turned.

Another modification of the invention is illustrated in Fig.4 and this modification is designed especially for use-upon a window or other closure which slides instead'of rotating likea door, although it may likewise be used upon a rotating closure. In this modification an-alarm unit 111 may be secured by means of a vacuum cup similar to the cup 14 on-theback side thereof to a window pane or v sash andanother vacuum cup 144, WhlCll 1S substituted for the knob engaging member 44,v is fastened unona window sill or frame in alignment with a release lever 135. The

ing rotation of this wheel, and the locking rinember 40 is moved inwardly into locking position. The winding key 52 is then turned *to'wind up the'spring 20, the locked release I" lever meanwhile preventing the spring from unwinding. The knob engaging member 14 fis nextpositioned upon the enlarged portion ofthe knob 42, the flexible connecting element 4'3', which has one extremity fastened in the socket 48, is secured within the slot 46 in the upturned end.45 of therelease member 35 and the. alarm unit 11 is positioned upon the door'l O adjacent the knob 42 .by means of the Vacuum cup 14, with the release lever 35 in alignment with the knob and so positioned that there is as little slack as possible in the connecting element 43. The locking lever 40 vacuum cup 144 is provided with a link engaging socket 148 for receiving one end of a flexible connecting element 143 which is 'connectedat or near its other end to the re- ,lease lever 135.

As will be evident from the drawings, 1f an attempt 18 made to ralse the window or other slidable closure, the vact uum cup 144 will tend to stick to the window sill and exert a pull upon the connecting element 143 which will actuate the release memher 135 and thereby cause the-alarm'to ring.

In this modification the vacuum cup 144 is constructed so that it will require less force to pull it oh? of the portion of the window frame to which it is attached than is required to pull the vacuum cup supporting the alarm unit 111 from the window pane or portion of the window to which it is attached. Therefore, the vacuum cup 144 will always yield before the vacuum cup supporting the alarm unit does and the alarm unit will not be pulled off the window when the window is When moved a distance greater than the extent of movement of the release lever 135.

While specific embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and particular uses of the invention have been described, various changes may be made in the shape, size, and

alarm described hereinbefore need not necessarily be used upon closures of the kinds illustrated, but may be used upon other types of closures. The alarms may also be used in different positions on the same closures and operate equally well.

As is well known, many doors have pivoted latches thereon which are controlled by levers mounted at right angles thereto, which 1 levers extend through openings in the doors so that they may be manually operated to control the latches. A burglar alarm of the type illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2' may be used with satisfactory results on a door of this type by looping the expansible knob engaging band around the latch several times and attaching the alarm unit to the door below the latch in an inverted position so that when the latch is moved the alarm will be actuated. The

door by looping the expansible band around one of the levers controlling the latch and attaching the alarm unit to the door either above or below the lever depending on the direction the lever operates to disengage the latch.

Another advantage of the type of alarm illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 is that the alarm may be placed in operative position while the door is open and left in operative condition after the door has been closed by holding the knob against movement when the door is being closed and permitting the latch to operate and to snap into engaging position without movement of the knob. In this way the alarm may be set while a person is within a room and the person may leave the room and still leave the alarm operative so that it will give a signal when the door is again opened.

Also, the modification illustrated in Fig. 4c for use upon a sliding closure and employing a vacuum cup for connecting the release lever on the alarm unit to a portion of the closure may be used with substantially equal success upon a rotating closure, such as a door.

In this case the alarm unit would be secured upon the door frame and the vacuum cup on the end of the flexible connecting element would be secured to the door proper, or vice versa as may be desired. In either case, if the door is opened or moved any appreciable distance, the alarm will be released and will give a signal.

Likewise the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 1. and 2 maybe positioned with the alarm unit secured upon the door frame and with the expansible band placed upon the door knob. In this position the alarm will be actuated either when the knob is turned or when the door is moved without the knob being turned, as may be the case when the door latch is not securely caught in its keeper. 7

It is believed to be evident that alarms embodying the invention may be attached in any suitable way to almost any type of closure andwill operate successfully as long as the operation of the closure causes relative movement betweenthe part of the closure to which the alarm unit is attached and the part of the closure to which the release lever is connected. Hence in the following claims, the word closure may be interpreted to mean not only the closure proper, i. e. the

dooror window, but also the door or window 3 frame, sill or jamb. Furthermore, theresilient means for connecting the signalcontrolling means to a closure defined in the annexed claims includes both the expansible band shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the vacuunr cup shown in Fig. 4, and other similar connecting means. 1

It is believed to be evident from the foregoing description that portable burglar alarms made in accordance with this invention may be readily carried fromwplace to placein ones pocket or travelling bag and may be easily and removably attached to closures without the aid of tools and without marring the closures. fore provides simple, inexpensive and durable alarms which are portable and easily utilized for the protection of persons and property.

What is claimed is:

1. In a portable burglaralarm for use on a closure, signalling means, vacuum means for supporting the signalling means upon one part of a closure, and means for controlling the signalling means through engagement with another part of the closure which is movable with respect to' the part to which the'signalling means is secured.

2. In a portable burglar'alarm, signalling means, vacuum means for securing the signalling means to one part of a closure, means for controlling the signalling means, and means for connecting the controlling means to anotherpart of the closure. i

V 3. In a portable burglar alarm, a base member, vacuum means for detachably se curing the base member to one part of a closure, signalling means carried by the base -member, a release lever for controlling the 4. In a portable. burglar alarm for use g i735? trol-lingithesignalling means,ma-' second vacu- -iwithaa.closureihavinga latch thereon, a. base um cupforwengaginganother portionvof the tinemben .a'ivacuum cup-mounted thereon for closure, and means for connectingithesecond sdetachablyisecuring the. base..member to a mentioned vacuum cup to the controlling closure ;=signalling means including a clockmeans, vthe. parts of the closure to which the w'worlr mechanism and a bell mounted on the signalling means is secured and thecontrolibase member; areleasemember designed to vling means is connectedbeing parts between prevent the operation of the signalling means which there is relative movement when the .,when .in one position and torelease the sigclosure is operated. :nalling means wheninanother position; a v11.- A portable burglar alarm -provided Zfiexihle operating element'attached. to the re- Witha vacuum cup for attaching the .alarm llease'member; and :an expansible member to'aclosure, alarm controlling means, and attached'toithe. release operating elementand -anot-her vacuum cup for connecting the con- :designed to detachably engage the latch optrolling means to a part of the closure which aerating portion ofthe closure. .is movable with respect to the part of the i5 5.2.Inra portable burglar alar1n,-signalling closureto which the alarm is attached, the 1111621118, vacuum' means 'forsecuring the sigvacuum cups being so designed that more .nallingimean'srto the bodyof a door, means force is required to remove one of the cups *forvcontrollingi the signalling means, means from the closure than is required to remove for. engaging the knob of the door so'as to b le othcr cup therefrom. "'be'mova-ble therewith, and" means for con- 12. A portable burglar alarm provided Jnecting.thecknobengaging mean to theQOnwith a-vacuum cup for attaching thehalarm -trollingimeans'whereby the controllingmeans to a closure, alarm controlling-means, and *will be actuated when-the knob is turned, another vacuum cu-p for connecting the con- "6. In a portable burglar alarm, signalling trollingmeans to a' part of the closure Which means; :a vacuum cup associated therewith i movable with respect to thepartof the 'forzdetachably securing the signalling means closure to-whichthe alarm is attached, the upon the body of a door; and means-for resecond mentioned vacuum cup beingiso de- -leasi th signalling means including a re- Signed that less force. isrequired to remove LlQHSB member; a resilient member for detachit from the closure than :is required to remove 30. ably engagin gthegknobof th door s 'ag to the first mentioned vacuum cup therefrom. be movable 'therewith,and-a connecting ele- .Signedat Akron, in the county ofSummit zament'foriconnecting the releasermember to and State of Ohio, this9t-h dayofllanuary "ithe r-zknob-'engagin-g"means. w'hereby'the re- A- 11 1- a I ileasennembenw'ill:=beactuated to release the ROBERT -signall'in'gwxmeans iwhen :the' door knob is rflturned. f7.:: I=n? a portable iburglar alarm, signal-ling imeansua vacuumcup for securing thesignalling means to the bodywo fa-door, means for -fioontrolliing: the; signal-lingn'm'eans, an expansible' bfiffldlEfiOI detachably engaging the :knob of a door, .and uneans for. connecting the ex- ;pansible -band :to the controlling means uvh'ereby the controlling :meanswill be actu- '-.ated' whenthe knob is turned.

In a portable. burglar alarm, signalling means, a vacuum cuprfor-securing thesig- #nalling means; to: the body. of a door, means "for controlling the signallingmeans; arub- 1r= i|ber rbandfor deta'chably .engaging the knob lb rot a*door,'aan'd means for connectingthe rubbertband to the controlling ineans whereby the controllingtmeans will beazactuated when nthe knob is turned. v 7 F 9.;1Aiportableburglanalarmprovidedwith 'ia'macuum cup 'for attaching-the-"alarm toa :closur'e, .alarm oontrollingwmeans, and :anvotherfivacuum cup r for connecting the a conwtrotllinganeans' t-oa part of the closure which a H 21'50 :istmovableawithrespect ito the part ofthe closure to. which the alarm; isattached.

310.? In a'porta-bleiburglar alarm, signalling 211111521118,(ELFVHOHUIIFCUP for; securing-the si nalling means to a closure, means for con- 

